THE SETON MURDER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 May 1919, Page 1

THE SETON MURDER.

♦ COLONEL RUTHERFORD'S HISTORY. T/ondon, April 8. At the trial c,f Colonel Rutherford on the charge of murdering Major iScton it was mentioned that Colonel Rutherford had appeared before several medical hoards during his war service and lie was incapacitated for some time. CcConel Hill, an army doctor, stated that the severest form of eczema, ri\.m which Rutherford suffered, was liable t()_/jaLwe frequent insomnia and worry and ultimately mental derangement. A definite plea of temporarily insane was entered for tlio defence. The defending counsel accepted the accuracy of the story of the crime, but argued that absence of any altercation and the needless ferocity of the shouting indicate madness and not an ordinary spirit of revenge and .jealousy. He did not shoot once, saving "I've done it," but poured bullet after bullet into Setoii'e body, and was then dazed and vacant. Colonel Rutherford's brother, an Army doctor, testified that the prisoner was queer for three months before the tragedy as .the result of an injury to tho head sustained while playing football in Franco. He siiowed" great depression during December last and said "I'm sorry the war is over as I hoped to get killed on this visit to France." His fathers' sister died insane six years ago. Dr Wright, professor of anatomy at the London hospital, stated that Colonel Rutherford suffered from eczema wliioli was the worst he had ever Been. It resulted from the formalin used in dissecting. Prisoner was advised to abandon tihe study of anatomy, but lie persisted owing to his ambitions. ! I>r Wright said lie saw a letter which Colonel Rutherford sent to his wife. It was erratically worded and liko something a madman would write. Colonel Rutherford was found guilty but was held to be insane. He has been ordered to be detained during his Majesty's pleasure.